Your TR Source
President Roosevelt agrees with mining executive John Campbell Greenway. In his recent Provincetown speech, he reaffirmed the position taken in his “undesirable citizens” letter. In a postscript, Roosevelt thanks Greenway for taking an interest in Ted Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-23
Thomas B. Stuart analyzes the “class struggle” aspects of the Big Bill Haywood case. Stuart discusses the case as it relates to legal ethics and the court system in Colorado.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-09-03
Mining executive John Campbell Greenway sends President Roosevelt the correspondence between citizens of Bovey and Coleraine and Minnesota Governor John Albert Johnson during the recent strike of the Western Federation of Miners. Greenway believes these cities are the first to condemn the federation as “a criminal organization committed to anarchy,” to which Johnson failed to respond.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-19
Idaho Governor Gooding laments to President Roosevelt that most people associated with the prosecution of the alleged murderers of Governor of Idaho Frank Steuenberg have been indicted and accused of connection with the alleged timber land frauds in the state.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-15
Governor Gooding encloses secret reports from a Pinkerton agent who has immersed himself on the defense team of the Haywood Trial in Idaho. Gooding calls President Roosevelt’s attention to his understanding that during the trial, the defense plans to release information about Governor Steunenberg’s supposed fraudulent activities in timber land sales. Gooding believes that the Department of Justice in Idaho is sympathetic to the defense.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-10
William A. Pinkerton reports to Governor Gooding that Agent 21 he met a man name William Easterly who wore a Western Federation of Miners button and who he thinks is “watching the movements of the men working for the W. F. of M.” Pinkerton was told that Easterly was the chairman of the strike committee during the “Colorado trouble” and is a man the Pinkertons fear. He is still waiting to hear reports from other agents in the field.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-05
Detective Pinkerton updates Governor Gooding on their investigation into the Western Federation of Miners (W.F.M.). Pinkerton learned that the W.F.M. is pursuing a strategy to implicate the late Governor in fraudulent timber sales. In doing this, Pinkerton believes the Western Federation of Miners hopes to “discredit him (Governor Steunenberg) in the eyes of the people in order to help the cause of the defendants,” Bill Haywood, Charles Moyer, and George Pettibone.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-05
On behalf of the Committee of the Moyer-Haywood Protest Conference, Thomas Crimmins criticizes President Roosevelt for his negative characterization of William Haywood and Charles Moyer. Crimmins points out that Haywood and Moyer have not yet been charged with a crime and are widely believed to be innocent victims of a foul conspiracy. Crimmins expresses concern that Roosevelt’s words will poison the minds of the general public, as well as the possible jury for their trial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-04
Cartoon depicting Sam Davis’s support of the Goldfield miners’ strike and lockout.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-04
Detective Pinkerton updates Governor Gooding on Agent 21’s investigation into the assassination of former Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg. He was called to Boise to receive his assignment. When he arrived in Boise, he was assigned to poll the entire county and could hire additional men to get the job done.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-01
Detective William A. Pinkerton updates Governor Gooding on Agent 21’s investigation into the assassination of Governor Frank Steunenberg. Agent 21 is keeping data on socialists and labor organizers. He lists the types of questions he asks people in the county to poll what the sentiments are for the upcoming trial.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-30
The Daily News covers Grand Jury disclosures in the land fraud case of Charles H. Moyer, Big Bill Haywood and George A. Pettibone. The disclosures seem to indicate a connection to the late Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg, as well as an anonymous message that was sent to Moyer, Haywood, and Pettibone’s attorney. Significant support of Moyer, Haywood, and Pettibone was also noted in a series of speeches made at the Coliseum protesting their incarnation.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-31
President Roosevelt is happy to hear that his son Kermit is running and rowing. Roosevelt hopes to finish dictating some speeches so he can take a vacation. He adds that the “labor people” insist on having a row with him, and he wrote a letter to the Charles Moyer-William Haywood Defense Fund. Roosevelt closes by saying how lucky he is to have Secretary of State Elihu Root and Secretary of War William H. Taft, and he believes Taft should be nominated next for president.
1907-04-23
President Roosevelt writes his son Kermit to report on victories for the Republican Party in the last elections, especially beating William Randolph Hearst in New York State. Roosevelt and Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt are traveling to Panama, and Ted has come home from Harvard due to abscesses on his leg.
1906-11-07
President Roosevelt agrees with S. S. McClure’s opinions about the Western Federation of Miners and the Big Bill Haywood case, but can only handle troops within the limits of the law.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-12-20
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of War Taft that he does not believe that Thornton is of any consequence. Roosevelt also discusses the possible indictment of William Edgar Borah for land fraud, noting that action has been put off so as not to interfere with the case Borah is prosecuting against the Western Federation of Miners.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-07-12
President Roosevelt summarizes a variety of opinions about judicial appointee candidates in Idaho, and urgently asks Calvin Cobb for his opinion of them.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-02-18
President Roosevelt does not know if he is more proud of what Secretary of State Elihu Root did in New York or what Secretary of War Taft did in Idaho. He describes some of the Democratic competition in New York. He proposes that the Democratic Party should dissolve because it has been shamed in New York and Idaho. Roosevelt sometimes wishes “I was not in the White House and could be on the stage and speak frankly!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-08
President Roosevelt feels Philip Battell Stewart, candidate for governor of Colorado, was right in his stand. He finds it unfortunate that at times the Republican party is put in the position of championing improper corporate influences, especially as it weakens the party’s other platforms.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-25
President Roosevelt is delighted with the army’s preparations under Secretary of War Taft. He thanks Taft for sending Judge Advocate General George B. Davis’s opinion on the right to intervene in Cuba. However, if intervention is necessary, he would “not dream of asking the permission of Congress.” He regards the treaty as the law and he “shall execute it.” Roosevelt requests Taft give speeches in Colorado and Idaho.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-09-17